Sharks beat Red Wings 3-2 in OT

SHARKS 3, RED WINGS 2

Associated Press

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, March 18, 2012

Photo: Paul Sakuma, Associated Press

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San Jose Sharks right wing Martin Havlat, top center, is congratulated by center Dominic Moore, right, and defensemen Jason Demers (60) and Justin Braun (61) after his goal against the Detroit Red Wings in overtime of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 17, 2012. The Sharks won 3-2. less

San Jose Sharks right wing Martin Havlat, top center, is congratulated by center Dominic Moore, right, and defensemen Jason Demers (60) and Justin Braun (61) after his goal against the Detroit Red Wings in ... more

Photo: Paul Sakuma, Associated Press

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Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard lets in a goal by San Jose Sharks' Joe Pavelski in the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 17, 2012.

Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard lets in a goal by San Jose Sharks' Joe Pavelski in the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 17, 2012.

Photo: Paul Sakuma, Associated Press

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Detroit Red Wings left wing Drew Miller (20) is unable to score past San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31), of Finland, in the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 17, 2012. less

Detroit Red Wings left wing Drew Miller (20) is unable to score past San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31), of Finland, in the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 17, ... more

Photo: Paul Sakuma, Associated Press

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Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk, center, is congratulated by right wing Todd Bertuzzi (44) after scoring past San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) in the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 17, 2012. less

Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk, center, is congratulated by right wing Todd Bertuzzi (44) after scoring past San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) in the first period of an NHL hockey game in San ... more

Photo: Paul Sakuma, Associated Press

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Detroit Red Wings right wing Danny Cleary, top, crashes into San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31), of Finland, in the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 17, 2012.

Detroit Red Wings right wing Danny Cleary, top, crashes into San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31), of Finland, in the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 17, 2012.

Photo: Paul Sakuma, Associated Press

Sharks beat Red Wings 3-2 in OT

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The San Jose Sharks have been waiting a long time to see what a healthy Martin Havlat can do for their lineup. He's back just in the nick of time.

Havlat scored his second goal of the game with 1:37 remaining in overtime to get the Sharks back into playoff position with a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night at HP Pavilion.

"It's been a while since I scored," said Havlat, whose last goal had been Dec. 17 before tearing his left hamstring later that game. "It was a playoff game for us. We're battling for a playoff spot right now. Every point we can get is very important."

Havlat was stopped once by Jimmy Howard, and then after a scramble in front of the net, he lifted the rebound over Howard to give the Sharks their first back-to-back wins since a three-game winning streak Jan. 24-Feb. 2.

"He's such an important part of our hockey club," coach Todd McLellan said. "And I don't even think we realize yet how much of an impact he can have. He worked very hard when he was hurt. I think we were all anxious to get him back."

Havlat also scored late in the first period for the Sharks, who moved into a tie for eighth place with Los Angeles in the Western Conference with a game in hand. San Jose is also only one point behind Dallas for the division lead with a game in hand.

Joe Pavelski also scored, and Antti Niemi made 33 saves for the Sharks, who have seven points in their past four games after a five-game losing streak.

"It was a heck of a game," McLellan said. "It feels like it's late March hockey right now. We're going to have to keep playing tight games and try to find ways to win them."

The Red Wings fell to 16-20-2 on the road and lead Nashville by two points for fourth place in the West.

The Red Wings got Datsyuk back after missing 11 games because of right knee surgery, and he made an immediate impact, scoring off a seemingly impossible angle for his 17th goal with 1:14 left in the first period.

The goal came 23 seconds after Havlat got his first goal back from injury to give San Jose a 2-0 lead. The Sharks also scored on the game's opening shift when Pavelski beat Howard for his career-high-tying 25th goal just 48 seconds in.

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